10-26-17 fdl council votes to allow dogs on leashes in all city parks

Fond du Lac residents can walk their dogs in all city parks.  At their meeting Wednesday night the Fond du Lac city council  voted 4-3 in favor of an ordinance that allows dogs on leashes in all city parks including Lakeside and Buttermilk Creek Parks with some exceptions.   Councilmembers Lorrigan, Merkel and Terbeest voted against.  Fond du lac city council member Brian Kolstad says expanding the ordinance is the right thing to do.  “I think it makes the policy consistent across all of our city parks.  We’ve seen that there isn’t any danger to it.  We’ve tried this for a year with several parks and the number of complaints has not increased,”  Kolstad said.  Councilmember LeeAnn Lorrigan voted against expanding the ordinance.  Lorrigan, who lives next to Buttermilk, says she thinks there may be logistics problems.  “I think what it causes is a logistical nightmare for people that are holding events.  Track meets, when the amphitheater is being utilized.  How do you manage all of this is what I’m looking at,”  Lorrigan said.   Dogs would not be allowed in Lakeside Park when there are festivals.  They would also not be allowed near the petting zoo or childrens play area.  Dogs would not be allowed in Buttermilk Creek Park when there are concerts.